Rotary side delivery rake



July 8, 1952 l.. cRowE ET Al.

ROTARY SIDE DELIVERY RAKE Filed March l5, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l LOU/.5' CROWE RICHARD M'. WORREL INI/ENTOS- HUEB/VER, BEEHLER, WRREL,

HERZ/G CALDWELL 5y `7LOIPIVEKS` July 8, 1952 v l.. cRowE ETAI. 2,602,280

ROTARY SIDE DELIVERY RAKE Filed March 15, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheetl 2 LOUIS CROWE RICHARD M. WORREL /N VE N TORS HUE/VER,BEEHLER, WORREL,

HERZ/6 CALDWELL 5 Afro/wrs July 8, 1952 l.. cRoWE T Al.

ROTARY SIDE DELIVERY RARE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 15, 1952 LOU/5 CRUWE RICHARD M. WORREL INVENTORS HERZ/G 8 CALDWELL Patented July 8, 1952 ROTARY SIDE DELIvERY BAKE Louis Crowe, Banta, and Richard M. Worrel, Fresno, Calif., assignors to Melvin A. Morrill,

Laton, Calif.

Application March-15, 1952, serialNofzia'zsz l The present invention relates to rotary side delivery rakes and more particularly to such rakes having adjustable swath contrc'il.V v

Recent innovationsin the raking art having to do with the employment in side delivery rakesfof a plurality of rotatably mounted raking wheels arranged 4in, echelon relative to the direction of movement of the rake have proved exceedingly popular. Such rakes mountthe raking 4wheels for individual elevational movement in traversing uneven terrain. Before these innovations,

the raking swathe's which a side delivery rake could achieve were seriously restricted. Any unevenness in a iield beingl raked caused such stresses andV strains even on relatively narrow conventional side delivery 'rakes as to subject them to frequent structural failures and rapid deterioration. The adaptability of the side delivery hay rakes employing individually floating raking wheels obviated this diiliculty and made possible the increaselin raking swathes generally but it has been found that in exceeding wide swathes the employment of a single echelon of such raking-wheels of great length can prove cumbersome.

The applicant has discovered that this cumbersome operation in rakes capable of exceedingly wide swathes can be obviated by employing a pair of echelon arrangements of suchraking 'wheels arranged in Va. V, or wedge, lassociation for delivery of encountered hay and the like to each side of a line of draft. The present invention features such an association and additional structure possessing further utility,A as willV subsequently become apparent.-

AS is apparent, the swaths of rotary side delivery wheel rakes can Ibe adjusted b y exercising control over the angle at whichthe echelon of raking wheels is drawn over material to be raked..

That is, if the echelon forms an acute angle to the line'of.y draft a narrow' swath is raked, and as the .angaularity` between the Vechelon of raking wheels and the line of draft is increased, the width of the swath will be 'responsively increased.

However, under most raking conditions the individualv wheels perform most satisfactorily when they are angled between 35 and 55 degrees sively modified the angularityof the individual-Y wheels relative to a line otvdraft..v The present invention .contemplates the 'adjustable angling of the, echelonsgof .raking wheels through -the pro-1 4 claims. (C1. 56-317 2 vision of adjustable direction control means while the angularity of the individual'wheelsis rifiaintainedv within efficient limits of angularity relative to a line of draft through controlled connection with 'the direction control means. This feature is made'available in rakes of both'single echelon and double echelon of V arrangement;

An object of the present invention is toprovide a side delivery rake of 'the rotaryY wheel vtype adapted tothe gathering of hay and the'lik'e'into a pair or windrows at opposite sides of a swath of greater width than heretoforeconsidered possible.

Another object is to increase the eiciency 'of raking hay through the provision of a'rake of increased swath having unimpaired "raking speeds- Another object is to provide aside deliveryhrake readily adjusted to various widths of raking whereby the rake may be readily adapted to vari-- ous raking requirements.` Y l Another object is' to provide a sidedelivery rake' of the character Ydescribed which readily l adapts itself to uneven terrain encountered in wide swath raking. p

'It isknown that rotary side deliveryrakes employing rotary raking wheels require directional control. AIt is a further object to provide in a side delivery'rale of such character whichY is adjustable as to raking swath, 'automatic direction control adjustment in response to adjustment of the rake to control the swath. l

A further object, as will become clearly evident inthe description of the vsecond form of the" present invention isv to provide automatic and correspondingl adjustment of 'thev angularity 'of and direction'control features of the present. ln-

vention. f

Fig. 2 lis a 1ongitudina1seetiona1 View ofthe f rake Yshown in Fig. A1 takenon line 2-2thereof.

Fig. 3 isa rear elevation lofY the' rake shownn Figs. rand 2. a Fig. 4 isa plan view, at reduced scale, of

thereof 4for wide swath raking operations.

rthe rake shown in Fig. j1V Vdemonst,rating Vadjustment i Fig. 5 is a plan View of a second form of the present invention providing not only the simultaneous adjustment of rake width and direction control but in addition thereto responsive adjustment of angularity of individual raking wheels employed therein relative to the frame on which they are supported.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the rake shown in Fig. 5V demonstrating the responsive adjustment of direction control means and angularity of the raking wheels in response to adjusting of the rake for increased or decreased swath.

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail of the rake shown in Fig. 5 taken on line 'I-T thereof.

Referring in greater detailV to the drawings:

In Fig. 1 a support frame is indicated generally at I0 having a pair of pivotally interconnected, angularly related legs II and I2 having spaced extended ends interconnected by a telescopically adjustable beam I3. The leg II is preferably longer than the leg I2 for convenience in draft connection and provides' at the forward end portion thereof a pair of vertically spaced, horizontally extended plates I4 through which vertically aligned openings are formed for the reception of a pin I6 in connecting the leg to the draft hitch of a draft appliance fragmentarily illustrated at I1.

The leg I2 has a forward end portion pivotally connected, as at I9, for relative horizontal movement to the leg I I at a position rearwardly spaced from the forward end portion thereof.

A bracket is mounted on the rearward 'end portion of the leg I I and a corresponding bracket 2| mounted on'the leg I2 at an equal distance from the pivotal interconnection of the legs. The telescopic beam I3 includes a tubular member 22 pivotally connected to the bracket ZI and a tubular member 23 pivotally connected to the bracket 29. The tubular member 23 is of smaller diameter than the tubular member 22 and is slideably ttedtherein. A plurality of bores 24 are formed vertically through the outer tubular member 22 in anl arrangement longitudinally thereof. The inner tubular member 22 has a bore 25 formed therethrough which can be aligned with any of the bores 24. A locking pin 26` is inserted through the bores 24 and 25 positioned in alignment and serves to lock the telescopic beam I3 in adjusted length. 'It is obvious that other meansfor locking the beam I3 in telescopic adjustment may beemployed. The structure of the beam and the means for locking the telescopic adjustment exemplify a form suitable to the present invention but it is to be understood that other means may be employed for accomplishing the adjustable'spacingV of the rearward ends of lthe legs II and I2 without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention.

A bifurcated yoke 28 is rigidly mounted in downwardly disposed posiiton on. each of the tubular members 22 and 23 of the beam I3 adjacent to the brackets 29 and 2I, respectively. Direction control wheels 29 are rotatably mounted in each of the yokes, by axles 30. Itis to be noted that the yokes are rigidly mounted on the beam I3 so that the wheels '29 are mounted for rotation in erectV parallel planes in alignment with the intended direction of movement of the rake and in fixed angular relation to the beam.

A strut 32 is laterally extended from the leg II near the forward end portion thereof and mounts a depending swivel yoke 33 therein. A swivel wheel 34 ,is journaled in the yoke 33, as on an axle 35, and provides support -forthe forward end portion of the frame I0. Whenever a traction force is imparted to the frame by connection to the plates I4, either by draft hitch, cable, or other means, the rigidly mounted direction control Wheels 29 readily aligns the rake, upon forward movement, with the direction of draft imparted thereto, the swivel wheel 34 accommodating such alignment. 4

A plurality of bearings 38 are mounted transversely of the legs II and I2 substantially equally spaced therealong. To achieve overlapping effect by opposite sides of the rake at the apex of the V frame, a pair of bearings are preferably located forwardly of the kpivotal interconnection of the legs on the leg II. The bearings mounted on an individual leg are preferably parallel and may be rigidly mounted or mounted for adjustable angular positioning as desired.

Crank axles 39 are journaled in the bearings 38 and outwardly extended therefrom. The crank axles are rearwardly off set and thence outwardly extended in parallel relation-to the portions thereof journaled in the bearings. Y

Rotary raking wheels 42 are journaled 'on'the outwardly extended end lportions of ythe crank axles 39 for individual elevational movement-by pivoting of their respective crank axles lnthelr bearings. The raking wheels individual 'to veach of thelegs, are arranged Vin echelonV angularly disposed to the planes o f thel ycontrol wheels :29. The raking wheels bear radially extended teeth 43 adapted for hay, straw, debris and/or' earth engagement as the rake is drawn overthe ground. It has been found thatthe'raking wheels operate most efliciently when they arel angled between 35 and 55 degrees relative fto the line of draft determined by the directioncontrol` wheels y29. It is to be observed that the raking wheels' individual to each of the legs `Vare arranged for rotation in erect parallel planes and thatthe rearward portion of each raking wheelfoverlapvs'the forward portion of the rearwardly Aadjacent raking wheel. Also the forwardmost raking Ywheel borne byjthe leg I'I, overlapsin yraking effect, the forwardmost of the raking-wheels borne by the leg I2. A Y y To reduce vthe weight-'iniposedupon -downwardly extended teeth of the' raking wheels 'and to facilitate individual floatingmovmentf-ofisaid raking wheels, lifting arms 45? are "Welded or otherwise rigidly secured and-upwardlyl extended from each of the crank axles 39. Posts" 46l are rigidly mounted o nthe legs II andI2. as'fby welding, in forwardly 'spaced' relation to veach of the lifting arms 45.-' Alftension'spring'f4'lfis provided between the upwardly extended ends of each of the arms 45 `and their-respective'pos'ts 46. The strength of the springs vis'preferably such that in drawing the' rake overI the ground the raking teeth onlylightlyskim ,the earth and uponA encountering'.elevationsfreadlly ri'se thereover. In order torake'elfectively through depressions, the springs are of insufficient strength under normal tension completelyto lift the raking wheels A42 lso-that `saidwheelsindividually descend into depressions `'lightly to"skim the earth therein. It will? -beffolovious tliatall of the raking wheels may :be elevated fromearth and/or crop engagement by' drawing thelsprings more tightly 'between the lifting. armsl andithe posts. The tightening yof fthe springs may be eifected in any convenient manner, none-offwhich constitute a part vof j the presenti invention 'and thus are-not illustrated.- 'For exampleythe posts 46 may have ybifurcated upwardly 'extended'l'end portions-in which the sprlngsl'lmay be lodged 'member 5!! `employs an inner at .predetermined longitudinal .positions .to regu? 'l late the tension, or the'ends'of thespringsmay be secured to ,screwthreadedrods extended.; through the posts and tightened bymeansof inuts mounted thereon inabutting relationL Mirthe posts. Other .expedients will readily occurto anyoneA practicing the present invention. 5 '1his l elevating of the raking wheels is accomplishedf when it is desiredl to transport the rake. ,.1 .j' Operation j Y i The operation of the rake of the.V present in-v vention shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4'is believed apparent and is briey summarizedat this point. The f rake is connected to a draft appliance through the medium of the plates I4 and for- :ward-earth traversing movement imparted thereto by such connection. In transporting -the rakes, l all of the raking wheels 42-are elevated- 'by tightening the springs 41. It"v the lrake is tof-be drawn down a road, for example, the beam I3 is telescoped, drawing the rearward end portions of the legs II and i2 into close proximity so that the rake is narrowed. It is possible, for example, to narrow a rake capable of raking ina swath of thirty feet or more so that its'lateral width for transporting is less than that of the average automobile or tractor. Y

Invv order to conduct a raking operation, the tension springs 41 are connected so that the teeth 43 of each of the wheels only lightly skim the earth. The telescopic beam I3 is extended to the extent desired to cover a given swath, as illustrated in Figs. 1 or 4. vThis swath adjustment is signicant in adapting the rake to varied raking material, conditions and areas. Inasxnuch as the pivotal connectionsof the opposite ends of the beam I3 to the legs II and I2 are equidistant from the pivotal interconnection of the legs, it will'be observed that the beam withgthe portions of the legs II and I2 between the beam H and their pivotal interconnection, form a bilateral triangle so that 'thee directionwcontrol wheels 129 maintainxed angular r-elation to a line bisecting the angle Yformed between the legs. Thus as the frame is widened and narrowed, the direction control wheels 29 assureV equal-increases anddecreases of the 'angularity of each ofthe legs relative rto the line of ydraft in response tol' adjustment for swath increase" or decreasesn The adjustment of the rake ,to regulate the swath is expeditiously eiected and may be accomplished at will in response to varied raking-v requirements. y f -1 Y v Secondform :n

venently take the form Lof; frigidzangle; iron; or?? other-rigid material and structuralAplurality f ot-bearings;160:arer arranged transversely 'of the.

parallelogramv members. .andpivotally connected toeach of, theV frame membersthereof; as at 6I. i

Thebea'riings individual to leach parallelogram memberare mounted in parallel positions transversely thereof. f l l A As similarly employed on theleg rI I, al strut 32 is laterally extended from the'inner framemember 52 and dependently mountsaswiveli yoke 33 rotatably mounting a swivel wheel34 for frame.

support.

Also as previously described, crank axles 39 are' journaled in the bearings 60 and rearwardly rection of movement of the rake. Arms y45, posts? 46 and tension springs 41 are employed as before Y to reduce and regulate the weightof the raking wheelsl borne by the teeth. The posts 46 are preferably mounted onthe outer frame members 53 and 55 of their-respective parallelogram members. l I

A -telescopic beam '65 A`pivotally interconnects rearward end portions offthe inner vframe mernbers `52 and E54 at positions equally spaced rearwardly from the pivotal interconnection 56 of said inner frame members. The beamV 65 not only provides frame support and direction control as in the first form of the present invention, but in addition provides automatic control of the angularity of the individual raking Wheels f relativeto aline of draft. The telescopic beam conveniently comprises an outer tube 66 pivotally connected to the inner framemember 54 and an inner tube 5'6 pivotally connected tothe inner franiemember 52 and slideably ktted to the outer tube'. The tubes 66 and 61 are endwardly 'and' angularly extended as at -68 and 69, respectively, 'Y

andpiv'otally connectedto the outerframe inein-` bers y-53 'and'55 of their respectiveparallelogram members. The extensions 68 andfty are angled relative to their respective tubes 66'` and B'Iso as to achieve" parallel relation to the [bearings I6I! mounted on their 'respective parallelogram mem-" bers. It will be observedthat" said extensions witlfirtheir respective frame'memb'ers andbear- The second form of the invention, shown in.V

Figs. 5,' 6, rand 7., substitutes skewable parallelogram str-uctures `5Il and 5| for the legs. I'Iand I2,

respectively,of the frame. 'I'he parallelogram frame member` .-52

and a parallel outer f-ramemember 53.. The parallelogram member 5If similarly employs an in-,. ner frame member 54 and a parallel outer frame member 55'. Thel forward end portion'of the inner frame'member 54 is pivotally connected to the inner frame member52 at a'position rearwardly spaced from the -forward end. .portion thereof for horizontal pivotal movement. as at 55. As described for lthe leg I I the inner frame-member 52 1of.v the parallelogram memberV 50 .is f prof-t ivided" with a draft" connection illustrated genera frame members .con-i 75,

ing'sfflorm skewable parallelograms.' A plurality y' y.ofb reslll are formed inthe outer tube E6 andy fabore' 1I formedthrough the tube'S'I. The tele- Scopic beam is adjustably lockedin predeterlmined*longitudinal adjustment by the'insertion of a pin 'I2-'through an opening Illaligned with" the opening 1I. Y

A pair of bifurcatedyokes 28 are mounted on the vtelescopic beam 56, as described Yfor their 'mounting'onthe beam I3 inthe first form of the invention. .Also as previously described, direction control wheels 29 are rotatably mounted in the yokes for rotation in substantially erect parallel planes in fixed angular relation to the beam. 56

and preferably parallel to a line bisecting the angle formed between the inner frame members `52and 54.. f l Y -The second form .ofthe vinvention operates in the. mannerdescribed for the rst `form lbut witnpan additional advantage. The beam v65 in association withthey portions of the inner frame `.members 52 'and 53 lying betweensaidbeam and; j

7? the pivotal.' interconnectionf Lofsaid!v members form a. b.latera1:-triangle. No-lmatteritowhat extent thefftelescopic beam:V 65: islextended: or retracted,:thedirection.controliwheels 291bear' the samerelation to-a-linebisectingithe anglebetween thezinnerframe membersl Inas'much as lthe.posi.. tionsA of fthe 'direction control wheels adetermine.

the line of draft and because the extensions 68`1and 69 of fthe beam 65.arefinrfixedangularfrelationto said beam.; anda atJ all times :parallelto the .bear-y ingsl 6.0,- telescopie extensions; andfrletraction of the beamserves not onlygto;adjustxthe-.wdthfof swath of the rake and automatically the liner-of draft but simultaneously angles-,all of the rotary rakingwheels 42 relative togtheir ,respective-.par-f allelogram members; I so thatfgsaid :raking :Wheels at all timesimainta-in-their predetermined angular relationto the line of draft. '.Ihispermitsepthe construction of agrake:l Whichi maintainsthe fraking wheels, at -substantiallya; 45?5 angle; relative. to theline of=` draft, `orother, predeterm-ined V angle, as maybe desired', and the maintenancefosuch angularityy automatically Yasthe width of;l swath is adjusted.

It; win be apparent in obseryingpig, manilleprovision of a skewablevk parallelogram framelfor mountinggrotary raking wheels inv echelon andthe provision of direction controlmeans soassociated therewith, provides a rake in which adjustment of the angularityrof the framerelative to aline Aof draft by adjustment y'of' the 'direction control means f automatically repositions Y, `theb raking wheels relative to the skewable parallelogram thereofftoy varied "raking requirements. f The; `clit rection control lmeans required in rakes of the type. arev automatically positioned.: in:` r`es1i0'n`ser to swath .adjustment for? the! maintenance of e desired line of draft. 2A ;r'ake,"Qemployirigll a plurality.l of :rakingLw-heels" arranged 'in echelonhas been fprovidedji adjusts the'angularity,Y of thelraking ,wheelsiin position relativen' aline of, draft.

.Although I havelhereinrshown and.describfecl myA invention in what'I have concivedftdbe the most practical and preferred embodimentoit lis;

recognized that vdepartures maybe; madethere-v from withinthegscopefof my invention, which vls not .to be limited 'toith'e detailsi disclosedherein, butl :is: to. `be.;accorded the fullA scope ofizt'he claims. so. -asg-to embrace" Vany .and all;A equivalentidev'ices Aand structures.V f

which the angularity l .of the" echelon is `adj'us ableto'jachieve'. vaiouslraking swaths by adjustment of.directioncontrolv 'meansY relative to suchiech'elon and whichsimulta'eoudsly the echelon to "achieve ,constant ,rakinggwheel'f -Havi'ngfdescribedmyeinvention, what rclaml i as new Vand I desire-to -'secureby .Letters Patent is:

lil-n asidedelivery rake `havirig a .forward--; ly movable substantially V-shaped draftffrarne.-

including a'. pair :ofi elongatedggskewablelparalielo# gram members 'each having,forwardiandlreare ward end :portions 4andL..elongate'dliiarallel,side..

membersbeingpivotally connectedftoFtherother;

ofV said memberssati a 1.positlon= .rearwardly adj ac'ent 'to `-the' :for-ward endzportion thereof, `a .t pluralityl of -.bearings.mounted transversely of each ofthe iframe membersfand pivotallyconnectedto opposite side: elementshthereof. for angular positioning in response-toi skewingof; said elements, raking wheel-ax1es-journaled inmtheubearings, rotary-raking# wheelslmounted. on the; axlesr :the raking wheels yindividuallto eachframe..member being arranged in echelon in substantially parallel erect planes, a telescopic beam pivotally interconneetinethe; rframe members-sein; adjustable spaced# .relationf at positions;substantially: equidistant from i the;pivetal,finterconneetion; Aof asaid membersandfoppositesideielements 0f. thefmemberszforfskewine zof. the@ mem .ersin response@ their-insular relatie herepff-fand;dreetonrpntrolflmeans `;-:fr.1l1,01.mte Y. n; the; :telescopic beam-in Sumner tinel relation;l yto fthe-framenmembers; and

raking wheels -borneftherebvandfin .--xed angular relation .tofthe .telescppicffbeam- 2..-.-;Inf;a;si1e "deliveryfrakeuthe.eombination 0f a` vfframe. consistineof a pair of elongated-members. having Vfor1ward.andY TQarWaHLeHd. portions the forward- .emi portonof; one. Ofrsaid members beine .lrpivctallyf connected@ te :tha-pillen Off; .said members at; a :pesi-tion rea.rward1y; ,adjacent 1 .t0 the forward end thereof;forf asii.ustab1eangular positionneieachf of@ idfmembersf having-fa. Deir of ;1, .JneitudinalelementsrandA a plurality-'0f transverse loearrings"pivoffflllr'irlterlormactedv inl-paralleloeram-arransement; rotaryrakingfwheelsS1111- porteufinthe bearings, the'rakipe wheels ofthe individualfframefmembers beine-:arranged in echelon fin substantially. ,erectvv parallel planes in nxed.` angular` relation to thein.respective.A bearings; aV telescopic, beam;l pivotally interconnecting-the frame members inladjllstable spaced yrelationr at positions substantially:{equi-distant from theepivotalfconneetionlof the-membersam Divotal-lyjinterconnecting the, longitudinalv elements of y:the members;in,v parallel -relatiomto :the ,transverse; bearingsJ-thereof; and al pairmof-`axially spaceddirection control-wheels, mounted i onthe beamj in supporting :relation totheframeandrakine wheel and-m parallel relation:infxdanguiarfrelationto theheamc c Im side s =de1iveryrakehavinefal forward- 1y: ,movable substantally Vfshapededraftframe including.4 afpair; 0fl :elongatewfmembers f having forward-andfrearward end porticmsfnachA Offsaid members .having innerfand Outerlonsitudinali Sfide elementseini parallell-relantiort the forward. end portion of the inner longitudinal element-Giona of said members being pivotally connected to the inner longitudinal element ofthe other of said members;:atpaposition :rearwardly adjacent. to theSfdrwardendportion .thereon-1 ar-nlural'yef parallel bearings mounted transversely of each plvotall @Qnnected'to eachzoi-the,longitudinali-elements eir respective .zmembers 'axlesgjnurnaledym l the-bearings and outwardlyxtended jtherefrom,.rotary l rakine1 wheels-mountedou the;extended;ends-.ofthe axles# the '.rakinefwbeelsof .sache frame .member beingearranged --inlechelon in substantiallyrparallel-ferect planes;V telescopic :beam fpivotally `interconnecting the ner longitudinalfelements.of

. e. bersi dii-lstablelspad relation: at l .posit-ion ubstantally. equi-.distant fromzathe conneetion oilsaiegemembersf lsaid telescopieflbeamrhavinelopnesitefendwerdfettensons in: fixedfaangular trelation; .thereto piyotally vc onnected to each of the outer longitudinalelements orethef-rramefzmembersnn. p= .ra1;1-=11.;u relation ,to

the bearings of the respective members, and direction control wheels rotatably mounted on the telescopic beam in supporting relation to the frame members and raking Wheels borne thereby and in fixed angular relation to the telescopic beam.

4. In a side delivery rake, the combination of a frame having a pair of horizontally spaced elongated parallel elements, a plurality of parallel bearings arranged transversely of the frame elements and pivotally connected to each thereof, said bearings and elements forming a skewable parallelogram, rotary raking WheelsA arranged in echelon individually mounted by the bearings in substantially erect parallel planes, means for imparting earth traversing movement to the frame angularly related to the elongated ele- 10 ments thereof, a rigid member pivotally interconnecting the frame elements in parallel relation to the bearings, and a direction vcontrol wheel rotatably mounted by the rigid member in earth engagement and in predetermined horizontal angularity with the bearings whereby skevving of the frame automatically positions the direction control Wheel to adjust the angularity of the frame relative to the line of draft and' thus the swath of the rake While the predetermined angular relation of the individual raking wheels to the direction 'control Wheel and thus the line of draft is maintained.

LOUIS CROWE. RICHARD M. WORREL.

No references cited. 

